USDA Regional IPM Centers

Grants to support Integrated Pest Management

Project Overview

CA068
Project Type: IPM Centers Grant
Funds awarded in 2026: $0.00
Grant Recipient: University of California
Region: Western
State: California
Cooperating States: none
Project Coordinator:
Luis Espino
University of California

Improving IPM of a resurgent pest of rice: characterizing armyworm damage during panicle development

Commodities

No commodities identified (required to submit report)

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Target Pests

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Practices

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Proposal abstract:

This project aims to improve management of armyworms (Mythimna unipuncta), a resurgent pest of rice in California, during the period of panicle development by conducting greenhouse studies to address three questions: 1) what is the susceptibility of stages of panicle development to armyworm injury, 2) what is the injury potential of early and late armyworm larval instars, and 3) what is the effect on yield of armyworm panicle injury. During the summer of 2026, rice plants will be caged at different stages of panicle development an infested with field collected armyworms of different sizes and at different densities to answer the three questions. Number of injured panicles, number of broken branches per panicle, number of kernels per broken branch, and grain weight will be recorded. Results will be shared with stakeholders via articles and presentations. After replication of the studies for two more years, UC IPM management guidelines will be updated. Results will allow rice growers and pest control advisers to make more informed decisions regarding the need for an insecticide application targeting armyworms in rice during heading, avoiding unnecessary applications or yield loss.

Project objectives from proposal:

  1. To determine the susceptibility of different stages of rice panicle development to armyworm injury.
  2. Compare the damage potential of early and late armyworm larval instars.
  3. Estimate yield loss due to panicle injury caused by armyworms.
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the Regional IPM Centers.